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Leader of the Opposition Peter Debnam has named NSW
Attorney-General Bob Debus as the minister he claims is under
investigation by a "law enforcement agency".

The Attorney-General angrily denied the claims during a fiery
question time at Parliament House today after Mr Debnam told the
chamber a complaint had been made to the Police Integrity
Commission in relation to Mr Debus's tenure as Corrective Services
Minister, a portfolio he gave up in 2001.

"The Attorney-General is the subject of a complaint. Isn't it
appropriate the Attorney-General stand down from his position
pending the outcome of a PIC assessment, or a public hearing be
conducted, or is it more appropriate an assessment be completed by
an independent, arms-length law enforcement agency?"

Mr Debus immediately challenged the Opposition Leader to repeat
his allegations outside the chamber, where parliamentary privilege
would not apply.

"Mr Speaker, let us be clear. I am not under investigation for
anything, nor have I ever been found to have committed even the
slightest transgression by any tribunal ... anywhere, and nobody in
this place believes these nonsensical allegations that you are now
raising and this is now my challenge to you, you grub.

"Walk 15 paces out there and say it again! Say it now! Get
out there and say it! Get out there and say it! Will you move? Will
you go?"

Mr Debnam said an informant for the Wood Royal Commission,
established to tackle police corruption in NSW from 1994 to
1997, made a complaint in January about a government minister.

"Given it's four months before the election, when ministerial
accountability is a critical issue in this State, are you today in
a position to tell the people of New South Wales if, in a series of
meetings in Janaury this year, a complaint was lodged with the
Police Integrity Commission by a Wood Royal Commission informant
about the misuse of ministerial power by one of your
ministers?''

The Premier responded by accusing the Opposition leader of a
"disgraceful smear and slur''.

"He has now had 36 hours to come before this Parliament and
produce his evidence ... Don't come in this house and attempt to
cover up what you did yesterday ... either you get up in here and
apologise or put it on the table.

"Where is the evidence and information to justify the slur
yesterday?''

Mr Iemma later said the government planned to move a censure
motion against Mr Debnam for his comments.

"His inability to get up in here this morning to back up what he
said condemns him as someone who is not fit to hold the office that
he holds.

"He is simply running with smear and innuendo and without any
courage to get up and back up what he said.''

Mr Iemma called the Opposition leader a "pathetic excuse
parading as a leader''.

"You have now had more than a day to show us you have got some
character. You are going down and you have not been able to produce
anything. Accusation does not equal evidence.''

Mr Debus described it as a "claim without substance''.

"Have the guts to say it in public,'' Mr Debus told Mr Debnam.
"And if you cannot, resign."

Mr Debnam's spokesman, Brad Burden, told smh.com.au that the
Opposition Leader did not plan to air his allegations
outside Parliament "at this stage".

Mr Debus, 63, is the longest serving minister in the NSW
Government.

Last month he announced he would retire from state politics to
stand at the next federal election.

The PIC would not comment on the matter.

"The commission won't confirm or deny any of that information
and that's the commission's position," said PIC media liaison
officer, Julie Wynn.